Cavities and kids are, unfortunately, a common combination. Nearly half of kids experience a cavity at some point as they grow up, so your child isn’t alone if they have their first cavity.
Your child’s probably already accustomed to their routine checkups and teeth cleanings here at our Kids Dental Center office in Greenbelt, Maryland. Empathetic pediatric dentist Bosede Adeniji, DDS, and our highly attentive team always go the extra mile to put our young patients at ease. So, our patients usually feel pretty relaxed about their routine visits.
But, when faced with something new, children often get quite anxious before the procedure. Cavity fillings are the most common example of this. That’s why our patient parents often ask us “How can I help my child relax before their first filling?” Read on to find out.
Your child takes their cues from you, and they can sense when you’re anxious or worried. If you present a cavity filling as an ordinary experience, your child is far more likely to look at it the same way.
Project a calm, nothing-to-worry-about demeanor. Tell your child that many, or even most, kids need a filling at some point. Explain that our team uses the same gentle approach we do for other dental care (checkups and cleanings) to help your child realize it’s not a terrifying event.
Children often ask why they have to get a filling. In answering this question, simple and non-scary language is best. Explain it in very simple terms.
For example, you can tell your child that they have a “sugar spot” on their tooth that needs to be removed. Tailor the explanation to your child’s age and vocabulary, but always aim for simplicity.
It’s smart to avoid threatening-sounding language. So, replace the word “needle” with “quick pinch,” or say “remove the bad spot” instead of talking about the drilling process.
Your child will probably have questions about their upcoming filling. The most common question kids ask involves the pain level. Many children imagine it to be a terribly painful event, which drives their anxiety.
Explain that our team uses special techniques to keep patients comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. We offer sedation dentistry, in which patients get medication to help them relax and remain comfortable during the procedure.
For most kids, nitrous oxide (which they breathe in through a nose tube) is a great option. With nitrous oxide, patients don’t feel anxiety or pain. In fact, some don’t even remember the procedure afterward.
As soon as we complete the filling, we stop the nitrous oxide flow and your child will feel back to themselves quickly. Explain that their mouth might feel numb for a few hours afterward, but that it fades away pretty fast.
If you’ve ever had a filling (most adults have), share past positive experiences with your child. Talk about different aspects of the treatment, like breathing in through a mask, experiencing a quick pinch, feeling very relaxed, and how the procedure was over before you knew it.
Sharing a positive experience helps your child feel like they’re not alone. You can even tell your child that you, too, were nervous before your first filling, but that it was all for nothing because it was a comfortable experience.
Our Kids Dental Center team believes fillings should never be fearful, so we do our very best to help your child relax and enjoy a positive experience at the dentist. To book a routine checkup or identify any oral health concerns, call our office at 301-345-2881 or contact our team online now.
